Droid Life » Hypebeasthttp://www.droid-life.com
An intense Android news community bringing you the latest in phones, rooting, apps, and reviews.Tue, 03 Mar 2015 22:30:45 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.1Could This be Our First Look at the Galaxy S5 Design?http://www.droid-life.com/2014/02/11/could-this-be-our-first-look-at-the-galaxy-s5-design/
http://www.droid-life.com/2014/02/11/could-this-be-our-first-look-at-the-galaxy-s5-design/#commentsTue, 11 Feb 2014 17:59:10 +0000http://www.droid-life.com/?p=132033Could This be Our First Look at the Galaxy S5 Design? is a post from: Droid Life
]]>Sonny Dickson, an Aussie with a solid reputation of leaking iPhone and iPad info before release, has published what appears to be an early design render of the Galaxy S5 from Samsung. It’s difficult to gleam much from the pic, but the measurements do suggest rumors of a larger, 5.25-inch screen were well founded.

Though conflicting reports have thrown the Galaxy S5’s specifications into question, a number of publications have reported that the handset will come in two editions, both of which may have appeared on AnTuTu’s benchmarking suite. One boasts either a QHD (2560 x 1440) or 1080p AMOLED display, a Snapdragon 800 SoC, 3GB of RAM, and a 16 MP camera. The other, which is probably bound for international markets, reportedly packs an Exynos 5422 processor, 2GB of RAM, and an identical camera sensor.

We’ll soon know for certain whether any of this speculation was even close to the truth – Samsung’s holding a press conference on February 24 – but isn’t it fun to let the hypebeast run wild while we still can?

]]>http://www.droid-life.com/2014/02/11/could-this-be-our-first-look-at-the-galaxy-s5-design/feed/163Galaxy S5 Hype Watch 2013: Report Claims Device Will Sport an Iris Scannerhttp://www.droid-life.com/2013/12/16/galaxy-s5-hype-watch-2013-report-claims-device-will-sport-an-iris-scanner/
http://www.droid-life.com/2013/12/16/galaxy-s5-hype-watch-2013-report-claims-device-will-sport-an-iris-scanner/#commentsMon, 16 Dec 2013 18:41:15 +0000http://www.droid-life.com/?p=127417Galaxy S5 Hype Watch 2013: Report Claims Device Will Sport an Iris Scanner is a post from: Droid Life
]]>We love a good hypebeast here at DL, and this morning, we got a doozy for you. According to ZDNet Korea, Samsung is hard at work on two versions of the Galaxy S5, one which is made primarily of plastic as we have seen with all other Sammy devices, and one ultra-premium model that will feature a metallic body and godly specs. Naturally, we are going to cover the premium model, as the source states that they have “confirmed” a few specifications which are to launch on the device in February of 2014.

As the title of this post indicated, it is reported that Samsung is working to bake a fully-functional iris scanner into the device, which will allow users another bit of added security when unlocking their phones. While fingerprint scanners and face recognition are all the rage, no one has yet attempted an iris scanner, so we could potentially see some Minority Report action on our devices starting next year. Where you at, Tom Cruise?

Along with the iris scanner, Samsung is reportedly looking to outfit the premium model with a quad HD display, sporting a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440. No word on the exact size of the panel, but you would have to assume it is somewhere between 5″ and 5.5″, given this is a Galaxy S device and not part of the Note lineup, which tends to use the larger displays. Depending on which market you pick up the new device, it could be either running Samsung’s new Exynos 64-bit Octa processor or one of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon quad-core processors. So for smartphone horsepower, potential buyers need not worry. The device is also said to feature 3GB of RAM, a 16MP back-facing shooter, and come running the latest version of the Android OS.

As the report states, Samsung plans to announce the device in February of 2014, which means we could see a launch in March possibly. That’s three short months away.

Are you excited yet for the next revolution of top tier Android devices?

]]>http://www.droid-life.com/2013/12/16/galaxy-s5-hype-watch-2013-report-claims-device-will-sport-an-iris-scanner/feed/171Google Reportedly Working to Release “Nexus TV” During First Half of 2014http://www.droid-life.com/2013/12/06/google-reportedly-working-to-release-nexus-tv-during-first-half-of-2014/
http://www.droid-life.com/2013/12/06/google-reportedly-working-to-release-nexus-tv-during-first-half-of-2014/#commentsFri, 06 Dec 2013 23:15:57 +0000http://www.droid-life.com/?p=126651Google Reportedly Working to Release “Nexus TV” During First Half of 2014 is a post from: Droid Life
]]>According to a recent report from The Information, who has a source inside of Google, the search giant will continue its reach into the living room with the introduction of Nexus TV. The device is said to be a set stop box, much like a regular Google TV box, but Nexus TV won’t handle any actual TV broadcasts. Instead, the company will stayed focused on delivering the Web and all of its rich content right to your HDTV, much like they are doing with the Chromecast dongle.

From what the source states, we could see a Nexus TV box within the first half of 2014, possibly in time for the next Google I/O conference which takes place in San Francisco every year.

]]>http://www.droid-life.com/2013/12/06/google-reportedly-working-to-release-nexus-tv-during-first-half-of-2014/feed/76Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Headed for Android, Scheduled to Drop Next Monthhttp://www.droid-life.com/2013/11/26/grand-theft-auto-san-andreas-headed-for-android-scheduled-to-drop-next-month/
http://www.droid-life.com/2013/11/26/grand-theft-auto-san-andreas-headed-for-android-scheduled-to-drop-next-month/#commentsTue, 26 Nov 2013 17:34:54 +0000http://www.droid-life.com/?p=125751Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Headed for Android, Scheduled to Drop Next Month is a post from: Droid Life
]]>We received great news this morning, as Rockstar Games announced that Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas would be making its way to Android in the next month. The game has apparently undergone a complete overhaul, with Rockstar’s developers adding in dynamic and detailed shadows, optimizations for touchscreen devices, and an enriched color palette. If they include the same optimizations they went through for Vice City, then we should be in for quite a treat.

Rockstar briefly details a few of the changes made to the game in the quote taken from the press release down below.

Encompassing Los Santos, San Fierro, Las Venturas and everything in between, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas has been upgraded for its mobile release. Newly remastered graphics including dynamic and detailed shadows, greater draw distance, an enriched color palette, plus enhanced character and car models make this the best-looking version of San Andreas yet.

As for a release time, all we have is “next month.” Let us all pray that Rockstar doesn’t run into the same issues like they have with the last two GTA releases on Android. Previous launches have been plagued with delays, Google Play bugs, and other mishaps that were all serious turn offs for gamers.

]]>http://www.droid-life.com/2013/11/26/grand-theft-auto-san-andreas-headed-for-android-scheduled-to-drop-next-month/feed/38HTC M8 AnTuTu Benchmark Posted Online, Points to Possibly Finalized Specshttp://www.droid-life.com/2013/11/25/htc-m8-antutu-benchmark-posted-online-points-to-possibly-finalized-specs/
http://www.droid-life.com/2013/11/25/htc-m8-antutu-benchmark-posted-online-points-to-possibly-finalized-specs/#commentsMon, 25 Nov 2013 19:44:34 +0000http://www.droid-life.com/?p=125625HTC M8 AnTuTu Benchmark Posted Online, Points to Possibly Finalized Specs is a post from: Droid Life
]]>HTC is apparently taking to benchmark apps to see how well its new flagship device is panning out. In newly posted benchmarks from AnTuTu, the M8 device, rumored to be the successor of the One, is seen running a Snapdragon 800 chipset with 2GB of RAM, featuring a 5″ 1080p display. While a few folks have posted that these are finalized specifications, keep in mind that prototype devices featuring non-finalized specs could be tested throughout any given period. For now, we can safely say that these are “possibly finalized” specs, just not completely confirmed.

As we can see in the graphic below, the M8 packs a bigger punch than the One, which features a Snapdragon 600 processor and 2GB of RAM. The M8 is also listed as featuring Android 4.4, which should allow the S800 to perform certain tasks with more ease than a device running Android 4.3, given the work Google put into the OS to utilize less RAM on a device.

Overall, the M8 should be a great step forward for HTC in the spec department, but we feel that many will have their eyes more on the externals than the internals. From the various leaked images we have seen, the new flagship should hold the same look of the One, but possibly a more rounded metallic feel.

We still have a ways to go before HTC announces the device, so you can bet on there being plenty more M8 leaks in the future.

For longer than we care to admit to the outside world, the camera experience on Google’s Nexus devices has been lackluster. That’s actually a nice way to put a completely inconsistent experience that we suffer through each day with the Nexus 5 and Nexus 4 smartphones. Regardless, it appears as if those days could almost be behind us. Recently discovered in a commit through the public Android source code, Google is working on a new camera API for the OS.

According to the commit, work started on the API in late 2012, which means the new API could have been on a roadmap to be shipped with Kit Kat. Vic Gundotra teased earlier this year that Google was working on something amazing, and instead we got the usual Android camera treatment. A comment found inside of the commit states “Do not merge: Hide new camera API – Not yet ready.”

Whether it comes sooner or later, at least we know it is in the works. As far as what changes Android users can expect, the new API is said to support Camera RAW, which allows for much more detailed photographs that are minimally compressed and touched up, meaning photography editors who love to use Photoshop are in for a treat. In addition to RAW, the new API supposedly supports Face Detection, as well as a system that auto-assigns unique IDs to recognized faces. To top it off, the API should also feature a true “Burst Mode,” the same kind we see on other Android devices that run OEM skin software like TouchWiz and Sense. Hallelujah.

Unfortunately, there are no dates or release info ever associated with these things, so Android users will have to remain patient. But there is hope, as Google mentioned to The Verge when the Nexus 5 was released, that they were already working on a massive camera software update that would soon be released. Could that be it?

According to a recent article from GigaOm, an unnamed executive currently working for a manufacturer that partners closely with Google to bring Google TV to the masses, says that Google TV as a brand might be dying soon. Instead, Google will rebrand the platform as Android TV, and basically hopes that it sticks, then continues to grow to more living rooms across the globe.

To lend weight to the claim, “Android TV” has been spotted on a few Google TV project team members’ online profiles, which could mean Google has an announcement planned for sometime in the future. Of course, no Google spokesperson chose to comment on the rumored name change.

With the Chromecast doing well (still selling like hot cakes at Best Buy apparently), a way to work that device in with Android TV could be a real smash hit with consumers. Although, unlike Chromecast, Google TV hasn’t seen much of a mass adoption.

If you are one of the millions of people patiently waiting for Plants vs. Zombies 2 to launch onto Google Play here in America, the time may be right around the corner. Apparently, the app finally launched in Australia and New Zealand Play stores this week, and Ausdroid has received word that it should roll out globally “shortly.”

According to an EA rep that spoke with the Australian Android news outlet, PvZ2 is coming soon!

The full global release of Plants vs. Zombies 2 for Android will launch shortly.

]]>http://www.droid-life.com/2013/10/03/plants-vs-zombies-2-hits-google-play-australia-should-launch-globally-shortly/feed/30Dumb Ways to Die Finally Released on Android, Totally a Must-Have Gamehttp://www.droid-life.com/2013/09/17/dumb-ways-to-die-finally-released-on-android-totally-a-must-have-game/
http://www.droid-life.com/2013/09/17/dumb-ways-to-die-finally-released-on-android-totally-a-must-have-game/#commentsTue, 17 Sep 2013 20:00:08 +0000http://www.droid-life.com/?p=119844Dumb Ways to Die Finally Released on Android, Totally a Must-Have Game is a post from: Droid Life
]]>Dumb Ways to Die – a game that a few iOS users have been hanging over my head for a long time now, has finally come to Android through Google Play. For anyone else who has been looking for this title, you might have seen a barrage of fakes in the Play store under the same name. Thanks to helpful reviews titled, “Fake” and the ever-so-delightful, “This app is total bull***,” we were able to stay clear of any deceitful titles.

In this game, you play 15 different puzzles. Each one is different, and the object of each puzzle is to not die. Sometimes you have to swat away bees or make sure your characters don’t get hit by a train. Once you complete a few puzzles successfully, it gets faster and then they get even “fasterer.” It’s a very challenging, but incredibly fun game.

The hypebeast train never slows, as new rumors have surfaced on the Interwebz, detailing a few features of Samsung’s 2014 flagship device. The Galaxy S4 was released a couple of months ago, which means that Samsung is already working on the next rendition, with sources stating that prototypes are already in use overseas. The Galaxy S5, which is presumed to be debuted sometime next year, is currently on track to have production begin later this year around Q4.

According to a report from ETNews, the Galaxy S5 could feature a metallic chassis, as Samsung looks to possibly move away from its plastic-body calling card. Although, it is reported that a lot of testing is going into issues found with metal devices, such as reception, continuing to utilize a removable battery and featuring expandable storage.

Last, but certainly not least, recent rumors indicate that the S5 will feature a 16MP back-facing camera complete with OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) technology. This same technology is found in LG’s newest G2 device and is also rumored to come inside of the Galaxy Note 3.

We still have a ways to go before the Galaxy S5 sees the light of day, but in this business, it’s never too early to start chatting about it.

Let us premise this with “nothing is confirmed,” but according to Gigaom, they have enough information on the upcoming Galaxy Gear smartwatch from Samsung to warrant a post on it. According to their sources, the following info is as close to the real deal as could be without being from Samsung itself, so let’s take a peek at what we have.

There have been numerous reports of Galaxy Gear to be unveiled alongside the Galaxy Note 3 on September 4 in Berlin. The newest rumor states the same, but that Samsung could also set up a popup shop in Times Square, New York to sell the device sometime after launch. This would allow folks to get some hands-on time with the watch before purchasing, which we as consumers, enjoy very much. Now, onto hardware and software.

From what sources very close to the project state, the watch will feature a built-in camera, connect to your phone via Bluetooth 4.0 LE, sports NFC for bumping/connecting/syncing to your device and feature a full touch OLED display. The display’s resolution is reported to be 320 x 320 and measure in at about 2.5″ diagonally. The watch will be powered by a Exynos dual-core processor, with either Android 4.1 or Android 4.2 as its OS. Several variants running different software have apparently been sent to third party developers, so it’s hard to say which exact version of Android the watch will come running. Although, it was reported that the device would have some excellent battery life, so that is good to hear.

As for software, word is that Samsung will not allow for Galaxy Gear apps to be downloaded off of Google Play, but instead be downloaded from their own App store. For this reason, it makes complete sense that Samsung would be sending out developer units to make sure they have a solid amount of simple applications prepared to go live on their own servers for when the time comes. Although, with that said, if apps are not coming from Google Play, you can expect the Galaxy Gear to only work with Samsung phones and not other Android devices from different OEMs. That could be a downer, but pretty much makes perfect sense from Samsung’s end.

As for what we hope to see in Galaxy Gear, in order for us to enjoy a smartwatch, we want useful features and apps, a smooth user experience and to receive some joy out of actually using it. We want to want to wear this device. We aren’t looking for just another extension of our phones, but a device that helps us complete tasks, while also looking good.

What would you want out of a smartwatch that you don’t already see on the market?

According to their sources, the Nexus 5 will be roughly inspired by the recently released G2 from LG. The spec configuration won’t be identical, but will feature the same 5.2″ 1080p display, as well as 2GB of RAM. However, a Snapdragon 600 will be used in place of the Snapdragon 800 to keep the price down. It is stated that LG and Google will want to keep the same pricing scheme that the current Nexus 4 has at $299 for 8GB and $349 for 16GB of storage capacity.

To round out the rumor, the Nexus 5 is said to feature a 10MP camera, Android 5.0 “Key Lime Pie,” but no word on whether we will see the power button and volume keys along the backside of the device like on the G2. That could be a deal breaker for some.

Everything we have seen points to an unveiling of sometime in October for the next Nexus smartphone.

Recently, a device branded the Tegra Tab was pictured and thrown onto the web, but there has been no word from NVIDIA that they are working on such a device. It has been reported for some time that NVIDIA would be looking into contracting out hardware (tablets included) to make sure that their new Tegra processors were hitting the market, but nothing official ever came from that. NVIDIA lost the bid to have their Tegra 4 processor power the new Nexus 7, which instead features a chipset made by Qualcomm. Unfortunately, that has been a sad move by Google, as Qualcomm has been very stingy about releasing factory images for the device.

No exact specs are currently known for the Tegra Tab, but we would say it is safe to assume it will feature a Tegra chip, most likely the Tegra 4. The Tegra 4 has yet to hit the market in a major way, and currently only a handful of tablets and the SHIELD portable gaming console feature the processor. From the photos, we can see that the tablet does feature a back-facing camera, and even a slot for a possible stylus in the top left corner.

But will it ever hit the States? Recently, NVIDIA filed for the trademark, Tegra Tab, so it is possible that we could see this in America sometime in the future. We will keep you posted.

]]>http://www.droid-life.com/2013/08/09/leaked-photos-hit-the-web-of-nvidias-tegra-tab/feed/43HTC One Max Pictured Again, This Time With Something to Compare Its Size tohttp://www.droid-life.com/2013/08/06/htc-one-max-pictured-again-this-time-with-something-to-compare-its-size-to/
http://www.droid-life.com/2013/08/06/htc-one-max-pictured-again-this-time-with-something-to-compare-its-size-to/#commentsTue, 06 Aug 2013 16:22:57 +0000http://www.droid-life.com/?p=116594HTC One Max Pictured Again, This Time With Something to Compare Its Size to is a post from: Droid Life
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Yesterday, we got a fantastic look at HTC’s upcoming One Max smartphone. They were some good pictures that showed off a massive-looking device, but it was still hard to tell just how big this phone was. Thanks to a new leak, we now have it sitting on bottom of another device (an XT882 from Motorola), so we can see a good comparison of the One Max against something else that is already on the market. For your reference, the XT882 has a 4″ display, with dimensions coming in at 4.81″ x 2.46″ x 0.52″.

The One Max is still expected to launch with a 5.9″ 1080p display, a Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB+ of RAM, an UltraPixel camera, BoomSound, and hopefully HTC will throw in some other goodies to take advantage of that gorgeous display.

The Honami device from Sony has been making rounds across the web for some time, with press renders and other spec details leaking like crazy. The newest leak shows off what Sony has in store for the device’s back-facing camera. According to a leak from Vietnamese site Tinhte, the device’s camera has been pictured featuring Sony’s G Lens technology with an XX.X indicator for the megapixels.

A photo was taken of the camera’s software, showing off a setting for 20MP and a full resolution of 5248 x 3936. Yeah, that’s a massive photo. For other specs, it was previously reported that the device will feature a Snapdragon 800 chipset, 2GB of RAM, a 3,000mAh battery and a 5″ 1080p display.

Many OEMs have been focusing on the shooter aspect of their devices, something which we are all for, but it is possible to overdo it. Once the Honami is launched, we will be interested in seeing this device stack up against the other top devices of the time.